Wednesday, July 30, 2014

New York Times Speaks Up for Legalization

We were excited to see the New York Times’ endorsement of legal marijuana in their Sunday Editorial Repeal Prohibition, Again. In its brief position statement, the NYT Editorial Board boldly states: “It
has been more than 40 years since Congress passed the current ban on
marijuana, inflicting great harm on society just to prohibit a substance
far less dangerous than alcohol.” The article advocates legalization on the federal level, giving states the responsibility to regulate marijuana.

Supporting their argument, the editorial board cites to the systemic
racial inequality in marijuana prosecution and criminal enforcement
(unduly affecting young black men). The article also discredits the
unsubstantiated concerns that marijuana is a "gateway" drug and
acknowledges that addiction and dependency of marijuana pales in
comparison to alcohol and tobacco.